Mayor growing increasingly concerned over TfL funding

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, claims TfL cannot wait any longer for a more long-term funding deal from the Government. His claim comes as Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, stated TfL is not giving vital information, leading to the current short-term funding situation.

Khan’s statement comes as it is announced London’s transport authority will continue to receive its existing rate of government funding until 28 July 2022.

“This short extension is only necessary because the Government has still not put forward any proposals for discussion on the long-term funding London needs” – Sadiq Khan

Sadiq Khan said: “Today, the Government has given TfL another short-term extension – of just a few weeks – to the current emergency funding deal. This short extension is only necessary because the Government has still not put forward any proposals for discussion on the long-term funding London needs. I am growing increasingly concerned that we can’t wait any longer without serious consequences.

“This is a £10bn transport authority that is crucial to supporting jobs and economic growth. Without a long term funding deal, TfL will have to prepare to make further painful cuts to London’s transport network – its ‘managed decline’ scenario.

“The devastating impact of the pandemic is the only reason TfL needs financial support. It is now imperative that the Government urgently works with me to agree a fair, long-term funding deal that will protect London’s transport network – not just for the sake of the capital, but the whole country.”

“Despite already agreeing an extension, TfL & the Mayor still haven’t provided vital information which we have repeatedly asked for” – Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps

However, Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has said TfL has not given the Government what he described as vital information, leading to the short term funding.

In a Tweet, Grant Shapps said: “We’ve supported London transport with over £5bn of funding. Despite already agreeing an extension, TfL and the Mayor still haven’t provided vital information which we have repeatedly asked for. In light of this we have agreed to another extension.”

TfL highlighted its point that aiding London’s recovery from the impact of the pandemic is key to the UK’s recovery, with the transport system at the heart of that.

“There is no UK recovery from the pandemic without a London recovery and there is no London recovery without a properly funded transport network in the capital” – TfL spokesperson

A TfL spokesperson said: “There is no UK recovery from the pandemic without a London recovery and there is no London recovery without a properly funded transport network in the capital. It is essential London receives the sustained long-term Government funding that is vital for the coming years if a period of ‘managed decline’ of London’s transport network is to be avoided.”

The statement continued: “Whilst in receipt of Government support, we have worked hard to progress all conditions placed on TfL, and continue to maintain that we have met them all. Working together, we must achieve a longer term capital funding settlement that ensures London’s transport network can remain reliable and efficient, can support the jobs and new homes that rely upon it and can support the economic recovery of the capital and the country as a whole. We hope these discussions can be concluded successfully soon.”